Gallery: Comic book movie vehicles

The Avengers (2012): When it comes to transportation, the folks at S.H.I.E.L.D. opt for the grand statement. Car or a plane not good enough for ya? How's about an aircraft carrier! Wait, still not impressed? How about one that flies! Yeah, it's a freaking "helicarrier"! Don't...even...begin...to ask about its feasibility, particularly the amount of energy it would take to propel such an invention. Just sit back and Marvel (TM) at the sheer ingenuity of it all.

PHOTO: Screenshot, Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures

Batman (1966): Lots of actors have played Batman over the years, but nobody did it like Adam West. He was, after all, the only one who actually wore tights. And the Batmobile? Well, with its massive fins, double-bubble windshield ('cause Robin needs a separate one) and, er, rocket propulsion system, it set an impressive standard for numerous iterations that followed.

PHOTO: Screenshot, Twentieth Century-Fox

Batman (1989): The Tim Burton-era Batmobile was a sleek machine. Darker and decidedly less, er, campy than its 1960s predecessor, it also boasted some pretty cool gadgets as well - best of all was a coccoon-like shield that would envelop the vehicle under heavy fire.

PHOTO: Screenshot, Warner Brothers

Batman Forever (1995): The Batman series took a turn back towards the campiness of the Adam West era when director Joel Schumacher took over from Tim Burton in the mid-90s. The Batmobile, accordingly, got somewhat flashier.

PHOTO: Screenshot, Warner Brothers

Batman & Robin (1997): If Batman Forever was any indication of the direction Joel Schumacher wanted to take the series, it wasn't until 1997's Batman & Robin that things really flew off the rails. Considered one of the worst comic book films of all time and forever providing ammunition to those who insist that George Clooney really isn't that great an actor. Still, the real low point of the film was Arnold Schwarzenegger's pun-a-minute Mr. Freeze. Not surprisingly, he drove - wait for it! - a Freezemobile. That's all, folks! Have an "ice" day!

PHOTO: Screenshot, Warner Brothers

Batman Begins (2005): Nearly a decade after the Batman & Robin debacle, director Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale brought the franchise back from the brink. This time around, the Batmobile was less a car than a tank, a full-fledged urban assault vehicle wreaking havoc upon the streets of Arkham City (actually, mostly Lower Wacker Drive in Chicago).

PHOTO: Screenshot, Warner Brothers

Superman: As a general rule, Superman isn't all that interested in driving. He prefers to fly, after all. But if you're really stuck, he doesn't mind giving you a lift. As a side note, this clip is taken from Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, which along with Batman & Robin is considered one of the worst comic book movies of all time.

PHOTO: Screenshot, Warner Brothers/Cannon Films

Spider-Man (2002): Getting bitten by a radioactive spider must have some unwanted side-effects. But the ability to spin webs from your wrists isn't one of them. As Spidey alter-ego Peter Parker learns, it's a great way to get around a densely-developed downtown core.

PHOTO: Screenshot, Marvel/Columbia Pictures

Spider-Man trilogy: Not everyone can spin webs out of their wrists and swing around from tall buildings. Spider-Man's nemeses need a ride. For the Green Goblin, the Goblin Glider is the preferred mode of getting from A to B.

PHOTO: Screenshot, Marvel Entertainment/Columbia Pictures

X-Men (2000): Professor X's crack team of mighty mutants swoops around in a state-of-the-art military-style aircraft. Again, not sure how they get the funding to afford such a remarkable machine, but I suppose one doesn't ask such questions.

PHOTO: Screenshot, Twentieth Century Fox

Watchmen (2009): "Archie", Nite Owl's aircraft.

PHOTO: Screenshot, Warner Brothers

The Green Hornet (2011): Seth Rogen's Green Hornet isn't really considered one of the better comic book films. But that ride, a 1965 Imperial Crown, looks pretty sweet.

PHOTO: Screenshot, Columbia Pictures

Iron Man (2008): If you want to be a superhero but don't have any superpowers to call your own, you need resources. Billionnaire Tony Stark has plenty, not to mention he's crazy brilliant. And while he's got a parking garage full of exotic cars to parade around in, he prefers to fly around in a custom-built rocket suit.

PHOTO: Screenshot, Marvel Studios

Iron Man (2008): Billionnaire super-genius Tony Stark has a stable full of enviable rides to rip around in when he's not wearing the rocket suit.

PHOTO: Screen shot, Marvel Studios/Paramount Pictures

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007): The sequel to the 2005 Marvel Comics adaptation featured the Fantasticar. It's real fast, sleek and it flies. But it's also a convertible. Hot diggety!

PHOTO: Screenshot, Twentieth Century Fox

The Flash (1990 TV series): As the lightning bolts on his superhero costume would suggest, The Flash is very, very fast. Doesn't need a car; he can run wherever he needs to go.